Pope Francis was history’s first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change.
In his position as pope he has no state power, only spiritual, and in his position as monarch of the Vatican, well there’s only church employees living there and Italy has an eye on things. Generally speaking unless otherwise stated Italian law applies within the Vatican.
Also he’s elected. Not that that means much it means that he’s a mouthpiece of the oligarchs (cardinals) electing him. But while we’re at elected monarchs, there’s one rather curious case: The French president is co-prince of Andorra, that is, their head of state, he shares that position with the local Bishop. Nearly 800 years ago the Andorrans said “yeah let’s not get invaded” and gave the title to the French head of state, then revolution happened, now the French are electing the Andorran head of state.
In his position as pope he has no state power, only spiritual, and in his position as monarch of the Vatican, well there’s only church employees living there and Italy has an eye on things. Generally speaking unless otherwise stated Italian law applies within the Vatican.
Also he’s elected. Not that that means much it means that he’s a mouthpiece of the oligarchs (cardinals) electing him. But while we’re at elected monarchs, there’s one rather curious case: The French president is co-prince of Andorra, that is, their head of state, he shares that position with the local Bishop. Nearly 800 years ago the Andorrans said “yeah let’s not get invaded” and gave the title to the French head of state, then revolution happened, now the French are electing the Andorran head of state.